Charles a



(No Model G. A. HARVEY. RAILWAY TRACK FASTENING. No. 439,352. Patented001:. 28', 1890.

Q vih mooeo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. HARVEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RAI LWAY-TFAC'K FASTEN l N G SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 439,352, dated October 28, 1890. Application filed February26, 1890. Serial No. 341,847. (No model.)

in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is'an improvement in trackfastenings; and it consists inthe novel features of construction and combination hereinafter fullydescribed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the said drawings, in which I have illustrated one form in whichIhave contemplated embodying my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective viewof a portion of a rail and tie,

showing my improved fastenings in position. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are detailperspective views of the parts of my improved fastening, and Fig. 5 is asimilar view of the part shown in Fig. 3 inverted.

In the drawings, A represents a metallic tie of any preferredconstruction. It is shown in this instance as provided with a recess a,to receive the foot I) of a rail B; but it may have a plain face, ifdesired. The tie A is provided at points at each side of the foot of therail with suitable apertures a to receive the bolts 0. There may be anydesired number of fastening devices for each tie, as found 3 5 mostconvenient and effective. I have shown in this instance the tie Aprovided with two of the devices engaging each side of the rail B; but adifferent arrangement could be employed by providing the tie with therequisite number of holes a in proper positions.

The bolt 0 consists of a shank provided with a toe 0, extendingforwardly and engaging the under surface of the tie A, a heel 0,extending rearwardly and engaging the upper face of the tie, and a head0 projecting forward over the foot of the rail. The under face of thehead 0 is inclined downwardly from front to rear and from one side ofthe bolt to the other, as clearly shown in Fig. 2,

5:: thus forming an inclined groove or recess.

The under surface of the head (2 might be curved instead of straight, ifdesired.

I provide a block D, which has an upper face beveled or inclined fromfront to rear and from one end to the other, adapted to engage and fitthe inclined recess of the head of the bolt, the block being provided atone or both ends with an upwardly-extending lug or projection 01, .asshown in full and dotted lines, Fig. 3, to engage the head of the bolt.The block D is of greater depth at one end than at the other, forming awedge, and its under surface is grooved or concaved for a portion of itslength, as shown at d in Fig. 5. At the larger end of the block islocated a separating device or wedge-shaped projection d for a purposehereinafter set forth, and the edges of the block at each side of thisseparating'device are cut away, forming recesses 1 I also provide thesplit wedge or key E, (shown in detail, Fig. 4,) which is driven betweenthe block'D when in its proper position in engagement with the head ofthe bolt and the foot of the rail, thereby tightening the parts. Thiskey or drive-wedge is of slightly-increasing thickness from one end tothe other in a direction opposite to the taper of the block D, so thatas the wedge is driven home the two parts will coact with the effect ofdouble inclines to tighten and secure the foot of the rail. The wedge Fon its upper side is fitted to the shape of the grooved or concavesurface ofthe block, and the thinner end of the same is split to a pointat or beyond the center of the wedge, and the two points e 6 so formedare beveled, as shown at e, to enable them to properly engage theseparating device (1 on the under face of the block.

When it is desired to secure a'rail in position by my improved device,the bolt B is placed in proper position, as before described,

and the block D placed in engagement with the under face of the head 0The key or drive-wedge is then made to engage the concave surface of theblock and driven in between the foot of the rail and the block D. As thewedge is driven in the points e 6 will come into contact with theseparating device d and be spread apart, as shown in dotted lines ,Fig.4c, and will protrude through the recesses 01 d of the block, as shownin Fig. 1. The block E is preferably made from wroughtiron or othermalleable material, which will permit the points to be spread apart inthe manner described. The block D may, if desired, be made of cast-ironor other suitable material.

It will be seen that the spreading apart of the points 6 6 through thenotches (Z (Z will effectually prevent the key or wedge from becomingloose or accidentally displaced. The inclined construction of the headof the bolt and upper face of the block, and the engagement of theconvex face of the key with the concave lower face of the block, renderit impossible for the parts to slip or loosen and move laterally, and aperfectly tight and secure fastening for the rail is secured.

When it is desired to release the device, the ends of the points e :2may be cut off with a cold-chisel or other device and the key driven outby means of a projection e at its head, or one or both of the lugs (Z onthe block D may be broken off and the entire device be driven out fromunder the inclined head 0 of the bolt. Itis obvious that where the blockD is provided with only one lug (Z it should be on the end adjacent tothe lower edge of the inclined inner face of the head 0 of the bolt.

hat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A railway-track fastening consisting of the securing-bolt having arigid head and rigid toe, the block adapted toengago the head of thesame and provided with a separating device, and the split wedge adaptedto engage said separating device, whereby an object may be clamped bysaid wedge and block between the head and toe of the bolt, substantiallyas described.

2. A railway-track fastening consisting of the securing-bolt, the blockadapted to engage the head of the same, said block being provided with agroove on its under side, a split drive-wedge adapted to engage saidgroove, and a separating device on said block adapted to be engaged bysaid wedge, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A railway-track fastening consisting of the securing-bolt having itshead provided with a groove or recess, a block having a face adapted toengage the said groove or recess, said block having a concave undersurface and provided with a separating device, and a split drive-wedgeprovided with a convex surface, substantially as described.

4. A railway-track fastening consisting of the securing-bolt having itshead provided with an inclined groove or recess, a block engaging saidinclined groove or recess, and provided adjacent to one end with a logor projection engaging the head of the bolt, and a split drive-wedge,said block being provided with a separating device adapted to be engagedby said wedge, susbtantially as described.

5. A railway-track fastening consisting of the securing-bolt, the blockengaging the head of the same, having its under side provided with aconcave portion, and a separating device adjacent to the edges of saidconcave portion forming the recesses 61 and a split drive-wedge adaptedto engage said separating device and recesses, substantially asdescribed.

6. A retaining device for a railway-track securing-bolt, consisting ofthe block having its under face grooved and provided with a separatingdevice, and a split drive-Wedge fitting said groove and adapted toengage the separating device, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A HARVEY.

Witnesses:

C. H. IIIGBEE, E. R. E. SoHULZ.

